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  “There’s a place on Third Street in Austin that has the best craft pizza...the best in the state,” she said, unable to contain the excitement in her voice.

  “That’s where I took you on our first date, then,” he said with a glimmer in his eyes that caused her stomach to free-fall.

  “It was a perfect night,” she said, continuing on with the cover.

  “I knew the minute you ordered the special that there was something different about you,” he said. His eyes lit up. His expression softened. The way he spoke about their fake date, almost like it was real, was incredibly sexy. “I never believed in love at first sight, but I sensed you were going to be important in my life.”

  Well, now she really was transfixed.

  “The same was true for me,” she said. “There was something about sharing that first slice that made my whole future flash before my eyes. Us. Kids. A house.”

  Quint cleared his throat, as if it had suddenly dried up.

  UNDERCOVER COUPLE

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author

  Barb Han

  USA TODAY bestselling author Barb Han lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at barbhan.com.

  Books by Barb Han

  Harlequin Intrigue

  A Ree and Quint Novel

  Undercover Couple

  An O’Connor Family Mystery

  Texas Kidnapping

  Texas Target

  Texas Law

  Texas Baby Conspiracy

  Texas Stalker

  Texas Abduction

  Rushing Creek Crime Spree

  Cornered at Christmas

  Ransom at Christmas

  Ambushed at Christmas

  What She Did

  What She Knew

  What She Saw

  Decoding a Criminal

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Emmaline Ree Sheppard, aka Ree—This Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent can’t afford to fall for her partner, especially when he seems hell-bent on self-destruction.

  Quinton Casey, aka Quint—This hotshot ATF agent blames himself for his pregnant partner Tessa’s death and will stop at nothing to put the person responsible behind bars. Will he go too far?

  Charley Davies—Is this restaurant owner running guns out of the back of his operation?

  Bald Guy—He is hanging around the Greenlight Bar and Restaurant a whole lot and he seems shady.

  Willie—He is the boyfriend of one of the waitresses and an all-around jerk, but is he involved in more than petty crime?

  Dumitru—The ultimate target and person responsible for Tessa’s murder is elusive—too much so?

  All my love to Brandon, Jacob and Tori, the three great loves of my life.

  To Babe, my hero, for being my best friend, my greatest love and my place to call home.

  I love you all with everything that I am.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Excerpt from Dodging Bullets in Blue Valley by Nicole Helm

  Chapter One

  Emmaline Ree Sheppard, aka Ree, squinted into the blaring south central Texas sun on what was turning out to be another scorching hot July morning. A wooden sign on the side of the road read Welcome to Cricket Creek, Home of the Annual Cricket Toss Festival. Ree involuntarily shivered as she connected a call with her brother. She would have to take a pass on that festival.

  “Hey. What’s up?” Shane asked.

  “I pulled a marriage assignment. Newlyweds. I couldn’t call you before now. Got any last-minute advice about what questions I need to ask my ‘spouse’ when I arrive? I won’t have much time with him and you know I can’t explain why,” Ree said. Shane had been married the longest and she figured he would be the best go-to person in this situation. Pulling an assignment to work with a legendary agent like Quinton Casey strung her nerves tight and she wanted to be as ready as possible.

  “How much time do you have before you get to your assignment? Can you tell me that?” Shane asked.

  “According to GPS—” she checked the screen “—less than five minutes.”

  “Wait...what?” Shane’s surprise was laced with a familiar sound. All four of her brothers had warned her of the dangers of following in their father’s footsteps, and that worry came across in their tone at times. Her mother still hadn’t forgiven Ree for her career choice. At least Shane had been the only brother who hadn’t tried to talk her out of working for a government agency in law enforcement. Still, his concern slipped in despite his attempt to cover with a cough.

  “No time to explain and you know I wouldn’t be at liberty to discuss a case anyway.” She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the now-blinding sun. “I have some ideas but need to know if I’m on the right track. What basics would a wife know about her husband?”

  Shane took in a deep breath. “Okay, here goes. Off the top of my head, you should probably know favorite food, color, and what kind of drink he’d order at the bar.”

  “Right.” Ree made a mental note. The drink question was golden as she would be interviewing for a waitressing job and her “husband” was likely to come in since they’d be living across the parking lot from the establishment. She gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as another minute ticked by. Four left. “What else?”

  “Know the basics about his family, like how many brothers and sisters he has and what their names are. If he has parents, grandparents and whether they are living,” Shane continued, his voice hitching on the last word. He often joked they all stuffed their feelings down like any good Irish Catholic family. They never talked about their father.

  Another minute passed, reminding Ree she didn’t have a second to spare.

  “Got it.” The little things could trip up an undercover operation, especially since she’d be flying straight out of the gate. She’d just completed her second year as an undercover agent for Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. This was her first “married” assignment. “Anything else?”

  “I’m sure you’ll discuss basics with your partner.” Shane was right and she already knew pretty much everything he’d just said. Hearing her brother’s voice calmed her nerves.

  “He’s a big deal in the department, from what I hear,” she admitted.

  “Then go in knowing your ground rules,” Shane stated.

  GPS let her know the location was coming up on her right. Two minutes had gone by in a blur.

  “Got it,” she said before pausing. “Thanks for the tips.”

  Ree stopped her sedan in front of the one-room cabin with a motorcycle parked
in front. She hesitated, unable to bring herself to end the call.

  “Even if he outranks you, don’t let him intimidate you,” Shane insisted.

  “I grew up with four brothers,” Ree said. “Since when have I ever let that happen?”

  Shane laughed and the sound brought her nerves down a notch. She’d debated making the call but was glad she had. Her brothers could be overprotective at times. The word overbearing came to mind. She’d worked her whole life to prove she could stick up for herself. And yet, at times like these, she still needed her family.

  “Valid point,” Shane conceded.

  “I hear this agent can be a real hothead,” she said.

  “Since when have you not been?” Shane teased, echoing her words. “Mom accuses your temper of coming from the Irish side of the family.”

  “I have the red hair to prove the Irish part,” she quipped, thinking it had been too long since she’d seen her family.

  “Speaking of Irish, Preston asked about you the other day,” Shane said.

  “And you’re bringing this up to me right now?” she asked, not bothering to hide her frustration. Preston had been the closest she’d come to going all in with a boyfriend. He also happened to be her older brother’s best friend.

  “Right. Bad form. Forget I even said anything,” Shane said along with an apology.

  “Already done.” She did her best to keep the hurt out of her voice at the memory of her ex. Preston was the only one she’d second-guessed walking away from. She had her reasons for ending the fling. But then, her brother pointed out she had her running shoes parked at the door every time she started to get serious in a relationship. Whether he was right or wrong, Ree had realized she needed to draw the line at having her brothers involved in her romantic life.

  “Hey, sis. Be careful,” Shane warned as she heard her three-year-old nephew Liam wail in the background.

  “You know it.” She pulled in beside the Ducati Diavel motorcycle, about to meet her “husband” for the next few days, possibly weeks. “Kiss Liam for me.”

  “Come home and kiss him for yourself,” Shane quipped and then seemed to realize she didn’t stay away so much because of her nephew. “Or you could FaceTime.”

  “I can take a day off when this assignment is over. I’ll be sure to stop by or call him then,” she promised. “Give Evelyn a hug for me and kiss baby Cara in the meantime.”

  “Will do. And I’ll hold you to the visit,” Shane said as Liam’s howling got even louder.

  “I knew you would,” she said before bidding goodbye and ending the call.

  Ree had no idea when that might be. The assignment to see if the bar owner was involved in arms dealing was on its own timeline. Working with a reputed agent—one she was about to meet for the first time—when she’d just celebrated her second year on the job after a promotion had her nerves on edge. She could do this, she reminded herself. Shane’s advice to go in strong was probably right. Someone with Quinton Casey’s background would want a confident partner.

  A couple of deep breaths for fortitude and Ree cut off the engine before grabbing her purse. The hot late-morning air slammed into her as she stepped out of the junkpile she’d been issued for the assignment. The run-down teal green Ford Fiesta’s door groaned as she banged it shut.

  A wall of humidity hit with the force of a rogue wave and had a similar impact as she stood in the sweltering heat. She plucked at her white button-down blouse, regretting the high but fashionable collar, trying not to soak herself with sweat before she met the man inside the cabin. Her high-waisted forest green pants fit well enough to show off long legs that she’d worked hard to tone at the gym. The cuffs struck just above her ankles. Her auburn hair was styled in a low side pony. Black, spiked heels rounded out the interview outfit.

  As she balled her hand into a fist and then raised it to knock, a wave of panic gripped her and a knot formed in her stomach. There was no other way to get through this first meeting than face it head-on. Agent Quinton Casey had a reputation for coming on like a bull. She steadied herself, getting ready for the charge that was sure to come at her.

  Besides, stand in the sun any longer and she might actually melt. Before she lost her nerve, she knocked. Of course, then she realized she should have used the key. It was a simple mistake. Anyone could have made it. And yet, humiliation burned at the misstep. This assignment wasn’t off to a good start and she prayed it wasn’t a bad omen.

  “Door’s open,” came the masculine voice—a voice that was like whiskey over ice.

  She opened it and stepped inside, immediately shutting the door behind her.

  Agent Casey practically sneered at her as she stared at the hulk of a man standing on the other side of the one-room cabin. His muscled torso formed an improbable V at the waist, and even with day-old stubble on his chin the man would be considered hot by most standards. Seeing him in person, she wished someone had prepared her for his sheer size. He had to be six feet three inches, with the kind of body most athletic recruiters would kill for if he was college age. It wouldn’t surprise her at all to learn he’d played ball in his youth. He had the whole “chiseled jawline, strong, hawklike nose and piercing eyes” bit down pat. Her pulse kicked up a few notches just looking at the man. She couldn’t afford to be distracted or intimidated.

  Her brother’s voice rang in her head. Go in knowing your ground rules.

  The famous Agent Casey stood there like he was issuing a challenge, as expected. She’d heard the rumors he’d become difficult to work with, and knew she would get one shot to make a first impression. She needed to be strong. More of her brother’s words came to mind. Don’t let him intimidate you.

  Summoning all her courage, she started right in. “Okay, so this is how it’s going to go.”

  “Do tell,” he said, his voice a study in calm but his gaze practically boring a hole through her.

  She could admit her nerves had her coming on a little stronger than intended. Taking another deep breath, she resolved to soften her tone.

  “We don’t have long before I have to be next door for my interview,” she said. “So, just to make sure we’re on the same page, my favorite color is blue, and my second favorite color is green. Now you go.”

  He didn’t respond or seem amused. Instead, he gripped the counter’s edge until his knuckles turned white.

  Her bravado faltered. She checked her watch, needing to head next door sooner than she’d like. She didn’t want to be late to her interview and she needed to have a few basics down to sell the lie in case the conversation turned casual and her future employer asked questions about her spouse.

  “Green like a garden hose or like a leprechaun?” he finally asked, crossing his feet at the ankles and then folding his arms across his chest. There was a slight smirk on his face as he leaned his hip against the counter.

  “We don’t have a whole lot of time to lay the groundwork before I have to head next door and land a job, or this assignment is over before it started. So maybe you want to take this a little more seriously?” She tapped the toe of her shoe on the dated wood flooring. The man was being annoying. He wasn’t the only one who could fold his arms over his chest. She mimicked his stance and that seemed to further amuse him.

  No response came. His eyes belied his casual demeanor. Even from across the room she could see a storm brewed in those sapphire blues.

  “What’s your favorite beer?” she asked, refusing to be intimidated. If he was testing her, she intended to pass with flying colors. In fact, she excelled at taking tests. So this guy needed more than a smirk to throw her off.

  Not only did he not respond, but he yawned. Okay, he must be trying to get under her skin. See how far he could push? Test her? She needed to regroup. Come at this from a different angle.

  “Fine. Let me tell you my ground rules before this whole—” she waved her arms
in the air “—newlywed thing gets started.”

  He dropped his head. His boot suddenly became real interesting to him. This way, she couldn’t read his reactions and she had no idea if this was part of the test or not. His first move was to throw her off her game. His point there. She definitely felt on edge. His reputation had her playing defense when she should be playing offense. She was starting to second-guess herself and to wonder whether or not she was the right person for this assignment.

  Nerves were good, she reminded herself. Being afraid would keep her mind sharp. She’d been on several dozen undercover assignments so far. This one would be no different. Of course, she would have a few more nerves working with Agent Casey. This assignment was serious, a possible career maker. The agency wouldn’t partner her with the A-team if this was a no-brainer.

  There was no reason to be unnerved by Agent Casey despite how quickly her pulse climbed with him in the room. He was a man just like every other, despite being disquietingly good-looking. He might be a few steps ahead of her professionally, but she was a quick study.

  Some of her bravado was shrinking but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. Shane was right. Go in strong. Be brave.

  Ree cleared her throat and continued, “Holding hands is fine, so is incidental touching. In fact, the more the better because we’re supposed to be newlyweds.” All she could remember from her brother’s first year of marriage was how lovey-dovey he and his new wife, Evelyn, had been. The thought of physical contact with Casey caused her stomach to free-fall. “So feel free to touch me but watch it. I don’t want to have to file any conduct reports when this is all done.”

  Casey didn’t immediately speak. The longer the silence stretched on, the higher her nerves climbed, until they were strung so tight she thought they might snap.

  When she was just about to tell him he needed to start cooperating, he looked up at her. Those intensely blue eyes of his locked onto her as he closed the distance between them in a few quick strides. Despite her heart galloping and all her warning signals flaring, she stood rooted to the spot, strangely transfixed. By this point, her heart was beating wildly in her chest and her instincts said run. But she didn’t get to be who she was or where she was by giving in to fear, so she challenged him with her gaze, daring him to keep going. That worked right up until he took the final threatening step toward her that had her automatically stepping back until the wall trapped her.